Clean water is critical to the sustainability of every life on our planet. The awful truth, though, is that clean water is inaccessible by nearly one billion people, leading to more than three million deaths per year. A silver lining to this fact is that there is also an unprecedented opportunity to improve the lives of up to one billion people, and in a very real sense, save millions of lives yearly.

Dale Bruder, President of the Lake Superior Chapter of the Safari Club International (SCI,) understands this fact implicitly. Bruder knows that clean water shortages impact more than just our world’s human residents, but every life on our planet – large and small, two-legged and four-legged. As such, his organization supports several humanitarian efforts that help to bring clean water to those people in need throughout the world, while also advocating for the protection of a spectacular array of wildlife.

This weekend, April 11-12, Bruder and his organization will be hosting their 16th Annual Hunter’s Banquet and fundraiser in Hinckley, MN. While he worked to finalize preparations for this event, Bruder sat down with us to share how the humanitarian efforts of the SCI can help save countless lives – and countless species – throughout the world.

[At the bottom of this post is a link sharing how you can donate to the SCI’s mission, if you are unable to attend this weekend’s event.]

For our readers that are unfamiliar with the Safari Club International, could you please share a brief summary of your organization and its mission?

The Safari Club International (SCI) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to protecting hunters’ rights and traditions, preserving wildlife through good conservation practices, educating our youth and the non-hunting public, and doing humanitarian deeds for the less fortunate.

You mention the worldwide humanitarian efforts deployed by the SCI. What types of projects have you seen deployed to date and what type of results have you seen these efforts achieve?

Our “Hunters Against Hunger” initiative has provided thousands of pounds of processed venison to the less fortunate so they can eat protein-rich meat. We also have a very active “Make A Wish” type hunting program that is available for disabled and terminally ill children. We support our wounded veterans by helping to fulfill their wishes to go on hunts that they aren’t able to do on their own.

Another initiative we are proud to support is the Blue Bag Drop program, where our members that are traveling overseas deliver blue bags filled with health aids for children and adults and items needed for the hungry. Oftentimes these blue bags will include portable water filtration equipment to be brought into those areas where clean water is not always a given.

Our store has helped to support the SCI Blue Bag Drops, providing some of the portable water filtration equipment SCI members bring with them on their journeys. How many Blue Bag Drops have been deployed to date – and overall – how many lives have been positively impacted through these efforts?

I do not have the exact figure, but it is in the hundreds for the number of bags delivered and in the thousands of lives impacted.

[Ed. Note: DiscountFilterStore.com is proud to support the SCI Blue Bag Drops through the donation of portable water filtration equipment, including our Katadyn camping filters. The photo to the left, from a story published in a recent SCI newsletter, shows one of the Blue Bag Drops we supported, in partnership with the Safari Club International, Safari Care Legacy Fund and Global Water Drops. Look closely and you’ll see the Katadyn Vario filter we donated, sitting atop the bag.

For those attending this weekend’s fundraiser in Hinckley, please look for a Blue Bag filled with water filtration equipment at the event’s auction.]

Clean water is critical for every life on our planet, making it a natural cause for the SCI to align itself with. From your perspective, how would you describe this alignment between protecting clean water and protecting wildlife?

They go hand in hand. As you said, clean water is critical for humans and animals alike. Both will drink contaminated water if thirst drives them to it. Then they become ill and that spreads disease and death among their respective species.

What type of opportunities would our readers have to become involved with the SCI or to support its humanitarian missions?

Go to any local member or local chapter and ask how to become involved. Go to any chapter’s fundraiser and join the organization. There is also a National website to get more information: www.scifirstforhunters.org.

Of course, we would also love to see everyone at this weekend’s fundraiser in Hinckley where they can learn about our organization first-hand, in addition to offering the donations that will allow us to continue our good work.

For registration information for the 16th annual Hunter’s Banquet and fundraiser, hosted on April 11th – 12th in Hinckley, MN by the Lake Superior Chapter of the SCI, visit this page on the chapter’s website. You may also donate to support the mission of the SCI by visiting their contribution page on their national website.

We invite you to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or +1 us on Google+ to be the first to learn about more ways you can support clean water initiatives throughout the world, in addition to being the first to learn about exclusive new deals and products.

Are you a veteran, currently serving in the Armed Forces, or are you buying a gift for a veteran or soldier? Use the discount code ‘VETERAN’ at checkout to take 5% off your entire order!

Valerie Mohler provides support for customers of DiscountFilterStore.com. As a proud working mother of two children, Valerie offers tips, insight and advice that helps her readers provide the cleanest tasting drinking water, freshest indoor air and healthiest environments for themselves and their families. Valerie has been recognized by the Water Quality Association as a Certified Water Specialist since 2013.